The first USC loses its Pac-12 opener at Oregon, failing to make a full recovery.
USC trails badly after making just five of its first 20 field goal attempts and turning the ball over ten times in the first 17 minutes. In the second half, the team closes the deficit to four points but ultimately loses, 82-74.
In their Pac-12 debut, the USC basketball team got off to a slow start and was unable to mount a second-half comeback.
On Thursday night, Oregon defeated USC 82-74 thanks to career-high 22 points from Kwame Evans Jr., eight rebounds, five steals, and a season-high 21 points from fellow freshman Jackson Shelstad
Oregon was up 12–2 at the beginning and controlled the first half, leading 42–25 at the half. Following six consecutive baskets, the Ducks led 36–18 thanks to a 3-pointer made by Brennan Rigsby with 3:04 left. Within the first seventeen minutes, USC turned the ball over ten times and made just five of its first twenty field goals. Against USC, who managed just seven baskets overall in the first half, the Ducks finished with six 3-pointers.
After only scoring two points on one of his seven attempts in the first half, Boogie Ellis opened the second half with two 3-pointers as part of a 12-3 run that brought USC within 45-37.
With 38.1 seconds remaining in the second half, Ellis made a 3-pointer to bring the Trojans as close as four points (78–74). However, they failed to make any of their subsequent two 3-point attempts, and in the final 33 seconds, Kario Oquendo made four consecutive free throws to seal the victory for Oregon.
Oregon (9-3), which has won 11 of its last 12 games at home, was led by Oquendo, who finished with 15 points, and Jermaine Couisnard, who added 13.
DJ Rodman and Joshua Morgan each scored 14 points for USC (6-6). Ellis, averaging 19.5 points per game, and Isaiah Collier (16.1 ppg), added 11 points apiece. Bronny James had five points and four fouls in 14 minutes.
On Saturday, USC travels to Oregon State for the fourth straight away game, marking the team’s longest road trip since the 2002 campaign. In their previous 15 meetings with the Beavers, the Trojans have won 11 of them.
On Saturday, Oregon will play UCLA in an attempt to end a three-game losing streak in the series.
NEXT NEWS:
With conferences starting this year, women’s basketball is about to heat up after a rather quiet December due to exams and the holidays.
With five of the top 12 teams in the nation, including sixth-ranked USC and second-ranked UCLA, the Pac-12 has dominated non-conference play. It is the first time since 1981 that the two Los Angeles schools are in the top 10 this season. On Saturday, they will get together.
Since the Trojans lacked standout freshman JuJu Watkins, the Bruins won both games by a combined four points in the previous season. As of now in the season, she is averaging 26.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assist.
Transfers have helped UCLA have a strong inside-outside game. Lauren Betts taking over the interior design. Her averages are 16.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 77.1% from the field. The outside offensive has been supplied by Kiki Rice and Charisma Osborne.
There are other significant Pac-12 games on Saturday besides the Los Angeles rivalry. On the same day, Colorado, ranked eighth, will play host to Utah, ranked twelve.
In the season opener, Colorado upset the reigning champion LSU, recording one of the biggest victories in the non-conference. This season, North Carolina State was the opponent for the Buffaloes’ lone loss.
Utah has already suffered two losses, the first coming at the hands of top-ranked South Carolina and the 10th-ranked Baylor.
These are some additional events to anticipate in the final week of 2023.
Week’s top performer
The Associated Press named Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame the national player of the week for women’s college basketball. With her first career triple-double, the 5-foot-6 freshman guard from Haddonfield, New Jersey, helped the Fighting Irish defeat Western Michigan last week. Hidalgo finished with five steals, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 26 points. She is the national leader in steals per game with six.
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